Mindful of residents’ response to a planned apartment complex across from Meadow Glen Mall, the developer of a proposed 25-unit condominium building on Salem Street is inviting neighbors to view plans and offer feedback before the city signs off on the project.

Milan Patel, principal of Salem-based HHC One Salem, LLC, filed plans with the city last month to construct a five-story condo building at 236-240 Salem St. and 4-6 Court St.

The project would involve tearing down three existing buildings: a vacant auto repair garage at 236 Salem St.; a vacant commercial building at 240 Salem St.; and a two-family house at 4-6 Court St.

Patel purchased the properties in January from Medford residents Charles G. Booth and Elizabeth Ann Booth for $1 million, according to the deed transferring ownership of the land, dated Jan. 6, 2016.

After demolition, the two property lots would be combined as the foundation for a new structure. The five-story building would feature 25 residential units, eight one-bedroom and 17 two-bedroom, and would likely include three units designated as affordable.

First, though, Patel and his attorney, Medford-based Felix J. Consilvio, want to hear from neighbors about the project.

On Wednesday, one hour after their scheduled meeting with Medford’s Community Development Board (CDB), Patel and Consilvio planned to hold a meeting with nearby residents at the Medford Firefighters Club to discuss the project.

“In view of recent issues regarding transparency and community involvement in development plans within the City, we feel that directly involving those closest to the project is in the best interest of my team and most importantly, the neighborhood,” Patel wrote in a letter to neighbors dated July 27.

The letter indirectly refers to the controversy over a proposed 490-unit apartment complex at 61 Locust St. The project received approval from the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in mid-June despite opposition from dozens of residents at multiple city meetings.

Since, three groups, including the Medford City Council, have filed appeals in Massachusetts Land Court challenging the board’s ruling.

Consilvio, who has been following the Locust Street updates, wants residents to be more involved in the Salem Street project.

“I think a lot of times when you try to sneak [a project] through, there’s a lot of uncertainty,” Consilvio told the Transcript. “There’s all this speculation. 'What is this about?' We wanted to at least put this on the table [and ask], ‘What are your concerns? What do you think?’”

The project does not require a use variance, as the site is already zoned for apartments. But it does require a handful of other variances, including for lot area, yard setbacks, parking and building height.

“It’s a fairly substantial project, but in my opinion, this is what the city should be looking at,” Consilvio said, adding that the condos would bring more to the city than another car dealership or auto shop, for example. “We think it’s a better use.”

Renderings provided by Somerville-based EvB Design show a modern building separated from the sidewalk by a narrow section of lawn.

According to a Site Plan Review application, the ground-floor space would include an open parking garage with 11 spaces fully underneath the building, 12 spaces partially underneath and four spaces outside of the building footprint.

The current parking plan requires a variance, as Medford’s Zoning Ordinance stipulates 2.1 spaces per unit.

Vehicles would enter the complex on Court Street and exit via Everett Street. According to a traffic study conducted for HHC One Salem by Design Consultants, Inc., the development would have “no significant impact” on existing traffic in the area.

The complex would also include a bicycle storage room and a lobby or common area that would run on solar power, Consilvio said.

“I’ve lived or worked in Medford my entire life, and I’d like to see the city turn the corner into a more innovative [place],” Consilvio said. “We’re looking to do a first-class project.”

The project requires approval from the CDB and ZBA. Consilvio said Patel hopes to be able to start demolition in late October/early November, clearing the way for construction in the spring.

“I have not heard any negative comments,” Consilvio said. “However, we wanted to at least put it on the table. I’ve done [similar meetings] in Somerville, and [Patel has] done them in other cities and towns. We thought it would be a good idea.”

OTHER PROJECT INFO

The total floor area of the proposed condo building is 39,361 square feetThe project site is 0.1 miles from Roberts Elementary SchoolPlans include a 9-foot landscaped border along the rear of the siteConstruction for the project would take about 12 months, based on the developer’s estimates